"Kristine Kathryn Rusch - Black Throne 01 - The Black Queen" - читать интересную книгу автора (Rusch Kristine Kathryn)

vast, and the countries were sparsely populated. These mountains bisected Vion; another
shorter range provided its western border. The Fey originated in the mountains, and
were like no other race in Vion. Gift could see why. It took a hardy and combative people
to survive in this place.
It was early spring, and there was still snow all the way to the tree line on most of the
mountain peaks. This one, known as Protectors Mount, never had snow, no matter what
time of year. Some said it was because of the Place of Power. Others believed it was
because this mountain was alive. Whatever the cause, it made life in Protectors Village
just a little easier than it would have been otherwise.
The wind was bracing here. It whipped at GiftтАЩs cheeks. He threaded his fingers
together. His bare feet were warm on the stone platform. He knew if he looked down, he
would see more veins of red below. But he continued to stare over the mountains.
He hadnтАЩt been this high before. The rugged peaks were white or gray, and then
tapered into a lush greenness provided by a crop of sturdy mountain pines. The valleys
down below were lost in morning mist. It was as if he were floating above the clouds.
He could feel MadotтАЩs gaze. When he turned, he expected to see her usual indulgent
smile. Instead, he saw a deep and unusual sadness on her face.
A small shiver ran through him.
тАЬLetтАЩs go,тАЭ she said, and stood. This time she did not take his arm. She walked ahead of
him on the stairs, establishing a pace that was more strenuous than the one before.
He was able to keep up easily, however. The lightness in his legs he had felt earlier was
still there. The only difference now was that the stairs were steeper, and he had no
chance to observe the sights around him. He had to concentrate on keeping up with
Madot.
He had never seen her move so fast. It was almost as if revealing her sadness had
embarrassed her.
Or perhaps she had revealed too much.
They reached a second, smaller plateau, and from there he could feel it, the power of
the cave ahead. It drew him like a womanтАЩs touch. He was familiar with this feeling. It was
how he had discovered the Place of Power on Blue Isle. He also had to live with a muted
version of it in Protectors Village. Live with it, and deny it at the same time.
Here there was no denial. He allowed the feeling to guide him. He gazed up, and saw
the entrance glowing silver. His heart leaped. That sense of homecoming had returned.
Madot was watching him again. тАЬThe feeling is strong in you,тАЭ she said, and the words
were a statement, not a question. It almost sounded as if she were disappointed by what
she saw.
тАЬShouldnтАЩt it be?тАЭ he asked, unable to take his gaze off that entrance.
She didnтАЩt answer him. Instead, she led him up the last flight of stairs. These were so
steep they were almost a ladder. He had no trouble negotiating them, but he wondered if
others did, if the design was purposeful, to prevent unwanteds from coming to this Place
of Power.
The stairs ended in another ledge, this one carved flat and maintained to a polished
perfection. Pelo, one of the Shaman Protectors, stood at the top of the stairs.
He was skinny and tall, his white hair as chaotic as MadotтАЩs. He wore a dark ShamanтАЩs
robe to blend in with the mountain. He carried no weapon, only a large staff carved from
esada wood. He stepped back as Gift climbed onto the ledge. His dark eyes held
disapproval, and something else, something even more unsettling.
тАЬOne shouldnтАЩt test a Warning,тАЭ Pelo said to Madot.
The look she gave him was dismissive. She didnтАЩt bother to reply.
тАЬHe has friends at the other Place of Power,тАЭ Pelo said. тАЬYou know we cannot let him